5 Easy Steps to Play "Jingle Bells" on Guitar

Jingle Bells sheet music for guitar

As the holiday season approaches, there’s no better way to spread cheer than through music. One of the most iconic and beloved Christmas carols, “Jingle Bells,” is a timeless classic that everyone enjoys. Whether you’re a seasoned guitarist or a complete beginner, learning to play “Jingle Bells” on the guitar is a rewarding and enjoyable experience. With a few simple chords and some practice, you’ll be able to strum along to this festive tune in no time.

Before you start, you’ll need a guitar and a basic understanding of guitar chords. If you’re new to playing guitar, don’t worry – there are plenty of resources available online and in books to help you get started. Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to learn the chords for “Jingle Bells.” The song uses just three chords: C, G, and D. These are some of the most common chords in guitar music, so they’re a great place to start. Once you’ve mastered these chords, you’re ready to start strumming along to the song.

The strumming pattern for “Jingle Bells” is simple and repetitive. It’s a down-up-down-up strumming pattern, with the emphasis on the downstrokes. Once you’ve got the strumming pattern down, you can start adding in the melody. The melody for “Jingle Bells” is relatively simple, and it can be played using single notes or chords. If you’re just starting out, it’s best to stick to single notes until you’re more comfortable with the chords. With a little practice, you’ll be able to play “Jingle Bells” on guitar like a pro!

How To Play Jingle Bells On Guitar

The Melody

Jingle Bells is a classic holiday song that is fun and easy to play on the guitar. The melody is simple and repetitive, making it a great choice for beginners. To play the melody, follow these steps:

1. Start by playing the open A string. This is the string that is closest to the floor when you hold the guitar.

2. Next, play the second fret of the D string. This is the string that is two strings above the A string.

3. Then, play the second fret of the G string. This is the string that is three strings above the A string.

4. Finally, play the open E string. This is the string that is farthest from the floor when you hold the guitar.

5. Repeat this pattern until you reach the end of the song.

The following table shows the notes that you need to play for the melody of Jingle Bells:

String	Fret
A	0
D	2
G	2
E	0

The Chords

The chords used in “Jingle Bells” are simple and easy to play, making it a great song for beginners. The main chords used are C, G, and F, with a D minor chord appearing in the bridge.

Here’s a closer look at each chord:

C Chord

The C chord is one of the most basic chords in guitar and is played by placing your first finger on the second fret of the second string, your second finger on the third fret of the fourth string, and your third finger on the fourth fret of the fifth string.

G Chord

The G chord is also a common chord and is played by placing your first finger on the third fret of the sixth string, your second finger on the second fret of the fifth string, and your third finger on the first fret of the fourth string.

F Chord

The F chord is a bit more challenging than the other chords in this song, but it is still relatively easy to play. Place your first finger on the first fret of the second string, your second finger on the second fret of the third string, and your third finger on the third fret of the fifth string.

Dm Chord

The Dm chord is the only minor chord used in “Jingle Bells” and is played by placing your first finger on the first fret of the second string, your second finger on the second fret of the third string, and your third finger on the third fret of the fourth string.

| Chord | Fingering |
|—|—|
| C | 032010 |
| G | 320003 |
| F | 103231 |
| Dm | 012220 |

Strumming Pattern

The strumming pattern for “Jingle Bells” is relatively simple, making it a great song for beginners.

To play the strumming pattern, follow these steps:

Start by placing your thumb on the downbeat of the first measure.
Strum down on the downbeat of each measure.
Strum up on the “and” of each beat, except for the last beat of each measure.
On the last beat of each measure, strum down.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of the strumming pattern:

Measure Strumming Pattern

Down, Down, Down, Down, Down

Down, Up, Down, Up, Down

Once you have mastered the strumming pattern, you can start adding in the melody.

Adding Embellishments

Once you’ve mastered the basic melody of Jingle Bells, you can add some embellishments to make it sound more interesting and expressive.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Hammer-ons and pull-offs are techniques that involve hitting a string with your finger or picking hand and then quickly releasing it, creating a distinctive percussive sound. To perform a hammer-on, hit the string you want to play with your picking hand and then immediately hammer on it with your fretting hand. To perform a pull-off, do the opposite: fret the string you want to play, then pick it and immediately release your fretting hand, pulling off the string.

Slides

Slides involve moving your finger along a string, either up or down the neck. To slide up, fret the string you want to play and then move your finger up the neck while continuing to hold it down. To slide down, do the opposite. Slides can add a smooth, legato sound to your playing.

Vibrato

Vibrato is a technique that involves slightly bending the string back and forth while you play it, creating a wavering sound. To perform vibrato, simply fret the string you want to play and then wiggle your finger slightly back and forth along the string. Vibrato can add expression and depth to your playing.

Trills

Trills are fast, alternating hammer-ons and pull-offs between two adjacent notes. To perform a trill, fret the lower note and then quickly hammer-on to the higher note, followed by a pull-off to the lower note. Repeat this process rapidly to create a trilling sound.

Bends

Bends involve bending the string up or down while you play it, creating a distinctive pitch change. To bend a string up, fret it and then push it up towards the headstock with your fretting finger. To bend a string down, do the opposite. Bends can add a bluesy or rock-and-roll sound to your playing.

Improvisation

Once you’ve mastered the basic chords and strumming pattern for “Jingle Bells,” you can start to improvise. This is where you can put your own creative spin on the song. Here are a few tips for improvising on “Jingle Bells”:

Start with simple variations. Try changing the strumming pattern, or adding some embellishments to the chords.
Use different picking techniques. You can use a pick, or you can fingerpick the strings.
Add some bends and slides. These techniques can add some extra flair to your playing.
Experiment with different voicings. You can play the chords in different positions on the fretboard.
Use a capo. This can change the key of the song, and give it a different sound.
Add some percussion. You can tap your foot, or use a shaker or tambourine.
Sing along. This can add a whole new dimension to your playing.
Have fun! Improvisation is all about experimenting and having fun. Don’t be afraid to try new things, and see what you come up with.

Here are some examples of improvisations you can try on “Jingle Bells”:

Chords	Strumming Pattern	Embellishments
G C D	Down-Down-Down-Down-Up-Up-Down	Bends on the 3rd fret of the G string
G C G	Down-Up-Down-Up-Down-Up	Slides from the 2nd to the 3rd fret of the G string
G C D Em Am D G	Down-Down-Down-Down-Down-Down-Down	Hammer-ons and pull-offs on the 2nd and 3rd frets of the G string

Performance Tips

To make the most of your performance, here are a few additional tips:

Tempo

The tempo of Jingle Bells is typically around 120 beats per minute. However, you can adjust the speed to fit your own playing style and the occasion.

Dynamics

Varying the volume can add interest to your performance. Start softly and build up to a crescendo at the end of each phrase.

Phrasing

Divide the song into phrases and play them with a sense of flow and direction. This will make your playing more expressive and engaging.

Ornamentation

Add some embellishments to your playing, such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides. This will give your performance a more professional touch.

Accompaniment

If you’re playing with a band or a backing track, be sure to listen carefully and adjust your playing accordingly.

Stage Presence

Stand up straight, make eye contact with your audience, and smile. Your stage presence can make a big difference in the overall impact of your performance.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The more you practice, the better your performance will be. Be sure to practice regularly and focus on the details.

Relax and Enjoy

Most importantly, relax and enjoy yourself. If you’re enjoying yourself, your audience will too.

Tips for Beginners

1. Start with the basics: Learn the basic guitar chords, such as C, G, D, and Em.

2. Practice fingerpicking: Use your thumb and index finger to pluck the strings, creating a steady rhythm.

3. Use a metronome: Keep a consistent tempo by using a metronome or online beat generator.

4. Listen to the melody: Familiarize yourself with the tune of “Jingle Bells” to understand the rhythm and phrasing.

5. Break it down: Divide the song into smaller sections and practice each part separately.

6. Use a capo (optional): A capo can raise the pitch of the guitar, making it easier to play in certain chords.

7. Choose a comfortable guitar: Select a guitar that is the right size and shape for you.

8. Tune your guitar: Use a tuner to ensure that your guitar is in tune before playing.

9. Be patient: Learning to play guitar takes time and practice. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t master it overnight.

10. Additional tips for playing “Jingle Bells”:

Chord Sequence	Notes
C	GCE
G	DGB
C	GCE
G	DGB
C	GCE
G	DGB
C	GCE
D	F#AD
G	DGB
C	GCE
G	DGB
C	GCE

How to Play Jingle Bells on Guitar

Jingle Bells is a classic Christmas song that is fun and easy to play on guitar. Here are the steps on how to play it:

Tune your guitar. Make sure your guitar is in tune before you start playing.
Learn the chords. The chords you will need to play Jingle Bells are C, G, Am, and F.
Strum the chords. Once you know the chords, you can start strumming them. The strumming pattern for Jingle Bells is down, down, down, down, up, up, down.
Sing the lyrics. As you strum the chords, you can start singing the lyrics to Jingle Bells.

Here is the sheet music for Jingle Bells:

[C]Dashing through the snow,
[G]In a one-horse open sleigh,
[Am]Over the fields we go,
[F]Laughing all the way.

[C]Bells on bob-tails ring,
[G]Making spirits bright,
[Am]What fun it is to ride and sing,
[F]A sleighing song tonight.

[C]Jingle bells, jingle bells,
[G]Jingle all the way.
[Am]Oh what fun it is to ride,
[F]In a one-horse open sleigh.

5 Easy Steps to Play “Jingle Bells” on Guitar